Serve the City

• Host a cookout in your front yard and set out games
• Prayer walk your neighborhood
• Set up a coffee or lemonade stand
• Spend time at a local park and invite others to join you
• Offer to pray for neighbors as you meet them
• Create care packages or handwritten notes for nearby homes
• Do a simple service project (yard work, trash pickup, etc.) for neighbors

Reserving a park pavilion is a great way to create a central, welcoming space for your Serve the City gathering. Each city has a slightly different process, but you can follow these general steps:

1. Choose a park and pavilion that fits your group size and needs using your city’s website:
• Arlington: https://www.arlingtontx.gov/Parks-Places/Facilities/Park-Pavilions
• Grand Prairie: https://grandfungp.com/pavilions/
• Mansfield: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/mansfield/reservation/landing/search?locale=en-US
• Pantego: https://www.townofpantego.com/bicentennial 
• Dalworthington Gardens: https://www.cityofdwg.net/documents/243/Park_Reservation_Application.2023docx.pdf
• Kennedale: https://www.cityofkennedale.com/reserve

2. Follow the reservation instructions listed on the site:

• Arlington and Mansfield allow you to submit a reservation request or book online.
• Grand Prairie requires you to call the booking number listed on each pavilion page.
• Pantego requires that you fill out the form and deliver it in person to Pantego Town Hall (https://www.townofpantego.com/maps/location/PantegoTownHall)
• Dalworthington Gardens made by emailing the address on the form.
• Kennadale reservations can only be made online.

3. Pay the required reservation fee. We recommend splitting the cost among the households in your group to keep it affordable for everyone.
4. Once booked, communicate the location and details with your group (and any groups you’re partnering with) so everyone knows where to gather.
5. Work with your group(s) to find creative ways to invite the community to spend time with your group. It could look like offering free food, putting up signs, or using the block party resources below to invite the neighborhood in advance.

Rather than gathering as one large group, each Community Group will meet in their own neighborhood, creating space for worship, prayer, and outreach right where they are.

Each Community Group can decide what time works best for them and their neighborhood. If that is the first thing in the morning, at lunch, or in the evening, it is up to your CG. Encourage your group(s) to arrive before your official start time to lead your group in Spirit-led prayer and worship over the area where you will serve. This positioning will help you remain prayerful and worshipful as you serve the community.

Helping your neighbors feel invited starts with a little intentional outreach ahead of time. Here are a few simple ways to spread the word:

• Post in your neighborhood Facebook group or online community page
• Hand out flyers or invitations to nearby homes
• Personally invite neighbors during walks or casual conversations
• If hosting at a park, post in local community pages or approved park bulletin areas
• Use the downloadable block party graphic from this webpage to add your event details and share digitally or print for your neighborhood
• Create a simple digital invite (text or group message) to share with neighbors you know
• Ask your group members to invite coworkers, friends, or others who live nearby
• Put up a few signs in your yard or around your street (if allowed)

A little pre-work can go a long way in helping people feel welcomed and excited to join!

Our Discipleship and Mission teams would love to help your group decide on a project that would bless the community and give your group an opportunity to reach out specifically to your neighbors. You can connect by contacting your group shepherd or emailing disciplship@fielder.org or servethecity@fielder.org. 

We encourage you not to cancel—just adjust your plans as needed and still gather as a group. Here are a few simple alternatives:

• Spend intentional time praying together for your neighbors and community
• Move your gathering indoors to a home, coffee shop, or restaurant
• Shift from a larger event to a more relational time of conversation and connection

Even if plans change, this is still a meaningful opportunity to be present, prayerful, and intentional together.